Yamaha’s audio system comprises two main elements - fixed loudspeakers for the venue’s restaurant and a movable dance system which covers a bigger area of the beach

Summer is here and with it sun-seekers are heading to beaches across Europe. The location and open-plan layout of beach bars and restaurants can make it a challenge to entertain those who want to drink and dance while keeping other patrons - and the neighbours - happy. But at Italy’s Bazzano Beach, a Yamaha audio system has solved the problem.

Located in the tourist resort of Sperlonga, between Roma and Napoli, Bazzano Beach is a bar and restaurant located on the beach of the same name. Founded 12 years ago, it is a popular destination for those wanting to relax by the sea with good food and good music.

Yamaha Commercial Installation Solutions (CIS) series audio system

Its audio system comprises two main elements - fixed loudspeakers for the venue’s restaurant, terrace and the beach in front of the building, plus a movable dance system which covers a bigger area of the beach for the summer weekend events Spiaggia Italiana, which features DJ sets and live performances on Saturdays, and Session Sunday guest DJ sets.

Previous audio systems had never quite managed to achieve the delicate balance needed to keep all patrons happy, but the installation of a Yamaha Commercial Installation Solutions (CIS) series audio system has done just that.

“With previous systems, Bazzano Beach suffered with an inability to control the sound tightly enough and had dance system subwoofers which devastated the restaurant when they were at the right volume for the beach!” says Wouter ‘Tony’ Verkuijl of Yamaha Music Europe’s Italy branch.

Eight VXS8 and two VXS10S loudspeakers cover the restaurant, terrace and beach immediately in front of the building

Yamaha VXS8 and VXS10S loudspeakers

The solution was a complete CIS audio system, supplied and installed by Sperlonga-based Remix Sound. Eight VXS8 and two VXS10S loudspeakers cover the restaurant, terrace and beach immediately in front of the building, driven by a pair of XMV4280 multi-channel power amplifiers.

The dance system comprises four active DSR215 full-range loudspeakers and six DXS18 subs. Uniquely for subs at this price point, the DSX18 features a cardioid mode which, when a pair is used, effectively decreases sound pressure at the sides and back, while increasing the output towards the front, where it is needed. An MGP12X mixer manages the input channels for DJ sets and live performance.

MTX5-D matrix processor

To provide maximum control, the system is divided into 11 zones and is controlled by an MTX5-D matrix processor. The MTX5-D fulfils a number of roles - these include managing the remote control of the system via Yamaha’s Wireless DCP app, limiting the maximum volume of all loudspeakers and managing inputs from an RX-V577 AV receiver and an announcement microphone. Used for letting customers on the beach or terrace know that their table is ready, when this microphone is used the MTX5-D’s onboard ducker automatically reduces the volume of the music in all zones except the restaurant.

The MTX5-D is also used to precisely control the onboard DSP of the DXS18s, complementing the loudspeakers cardioid mode and keeping unwanted bass frequencies to an absolute minimum behind and to the sides of the subs. DCP1V4S and DCP4V4S wall-mounted controllers also provide instantly-accessible local volume and mute controls.

“The sound quality is very high in the restaurant, terrace and on the beach, with plenty of headroom,” says Remix Sound’s Riccardo de Simone.“The DSR-based dance system is very powerful, but the control provided by the MTX5-D and cardioid placement of the subs means that the sound of the entire system is very well contained. Bazzano Beach’s owners are very happy with the significant improvement that Yamaha CIS has provided over its previous audio systems.”